Device for storing and dispensing ribbon-like materials and the like

ABSTRACT

A disposable device for storing and dispensing ribbon-like materials such as tie strips or the like includes a spool shaped to fit in the hand of a user and having a pair of spaced apart flanges for storing a quantity of ribbon-like material therebetween and spaced apart a sufficient distance to allow the spool to be grapsed by hand. A slot is formed in the edge of one of the spool flanges, and a cutting device made of spring metal is rigidly secured to the top of the flange adjacent the slot. The cutting device includes a flat base secured to the flange, and a resiliently bendable, elongated cutting arm integral with a portion of the base and projecting upwardly from the plane of the base to be movable relative to an adjacent edge of the base. In use, a preselected length of the tie strip ribbon is unwound from the spool, drawn through the slot and between the cutting arm and base, and the cutting arm is forced down toward the base to shear off the tie strip.

Itullp 51 Sept. 11, 1973 DEVICE FOR STORING ANI) DISPENSING RIBBON-LIKE MATERIALS ANI) THE LIKE [75] Inventor: Jack H. Kulp, San Juan Capistrano,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: Royal Industries, Inc., Pasadena,

Calif.

[22] Filed: May 18, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 254,570

[52] U.S. Cl 83/542, 83/589, 83/649,

. 225/59 [51] Int. Cl 1B26d 5/10 [581- Field of Search 83/649, 542, 589; 225/60, 62, 59

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 587,414 8/1947 White 225 59 2,862,676 12/1958 Castelli. 83/649 X 591,592 10/1897 Earle 225/62 2,501,515 3/1950 Hood 225/62 3,313,194 4/1967 Hanscom. 83/649 X 3,001,284 9/1961 Marotz 83/649 X 3,696,697 10/1972 Hoffman 83/649 Primary Examiner-Frank T. Yost Attorney-Robert L. Parker et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A disposable device for storing and dispensing ribbonlike materials such as tie strips or the like includes a spool shaped to fit in the hand of a user and having a pair of spaced apart flanges for storing a quantity of rib bon-like material therebetween and spaced apart a sufficient distance to allow the spool to be grapsed by hand. A slot is fonned in the edge of one of the spool flanges, and a cutting device made of spring metal is rigidly secured to the top of the flange adjacent the slot. The cutting device includes a flat base secured to the flange, and a resiliently bendable, elongated cutting arm integral with a portion of the base and projecting upwardly from the plane of the base to be movable relative to an adjacent edge of the base. In use, a preselected length of the tie strip ribbon is unwound from the spool, drawn through the slot and between the cutting arm and base, and the cutting arm is forced down toward the base to shear off the tie strip.

12 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures DEVICE FOR STORING AND DISPENSING RIBBON-LIKE MATERIALS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device for use in storing and easily dispensng ribbon-like material such as tie strips.

Tie strips generally comprise wire reinforced ribbons of plastic or paper capable of being twisted to form a tie. For uses where several tie strips are needed, it is convenient to mount a cutting device on the article which stores the tie strip ribbon. Such a device is disclosed in US. Pat. No. Des. 200,347. However, the patented disclosed device is not constructed as a disposable article, or in such a way that it can be easily grasped by hand to enable the user to readily sever the tie strips. The patented device requires a refill spool to be inserted into the dispenser to render it continuously usable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, this invention provides an inexpensive, disposable storing and dispensing devibe which comprises a spool for receiving a continuous length of tie strip ribbon or the like wound around its core. A pair of flanges at the ends of the spool are spaced apart a sufficient distance to allow the spool to be readily grasped by hand. One of the flanges supports a cutting device for use in severing a preselected length of tie strip ribbon unwound from the spool.

Thus, tie strip ribbon can be easily unwound from the spool a preselected distance and readily severed by operating the cutting deviceas the spoolis held in the hand. I

In a preferred form of the invention, a slotted opening is formed in a flange at one end of the body, and the cutting device is mounted on the flange adjacent to the slotted opening. Preferably, the cutting device includes a spring metal plate having a flat base rigidly secured to the flange, and a resiliently bendable,'elongated cutting arm formed integrally witn the base and bent to extend away from the plane of the base. In use, tie strip ribbon is drawn through the slotted opening and between the cutting arm and an edge of the base, and the cutting arm is forced toward the plane of the base to sever the tie strips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING These and other aspects of the invention will be more fully understood by referring to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view, partly broken away and partly in section, showing a storing and dispensing device for tie strips and the like and illustrating a hand, in phantom line, grasping the device; and

FIG. 2 is a plan elevation view taken on line 22 of FIG. I.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, a disposable storing and dispensing device includes a spool having a hollow, cylindrical core 12, and a separate circular flange 14 at each end projecting outwardly from the outer circumference of core 12.

Preferably, the spool is made from two interconnected spool halves, each half comprising a thinwalled, elongated tubular ring 16 formed integrally with one of the flanges 14. Preferably, each spool half is made of a substantially rigid plastic material such as polystyrene. The two spool halves are especially suitable for manufacturing-in a relatively inexpensive injection molding process. The end of one tubular ring has an annular recess 18 formed in its inner wall, and the end of the other tubular ring has a cooperating annular recess 20 fonned in its outer wall. The two halves are joined end-to-end by inter-locking their cooperating recessed areas, and are rigidly held together by a layer of suitable bonding material 22 between the adjacent recessed wall surfaces.

Separate circular holes 26 are formed concentrically in the flanges, and their axes are aligned collinearly to provide means for mounting the spool on a spindle (not shown) or the like.

The cylindrical core of the spool is adapted to carry a continuous length of tie strip ribbon 28, or other similar ribbon-like material, wound around its outer circumference.

A cutting device 30 is mounted on the top of one of the flanges 14. Preferably, the cutting device is mounted adjacent to a substantially rectangularly shaped slotted opening 32 formed in an edge of the flange. Preferably, the slotted opening extends inwardly in the rim to terminate at a point closely spaced from the outer circumference of the core of the spool. The cutting device preferably comprises a flat sheet of spring metal, such as tempered steel. The cutting device includes a flat base 34, the opposite ends of which are rigidly secured to flange 14 by rivets 36, or other suitable fastening means for mounting the metal plate to the plastic flange. Preferably, the cutting device is mounted on the flange before the two spool halves are joined together. As shown best in FIG. 2, the base is mounted immediately above a portion of the body of ring 16. The cutting device also includes a resiliently bendable elongated cutting arm 38 formed integrally with base 34 and projecting upwardly from the plane of the base. Preferably, the cutting arm, from one end to the other, includes an elongated cutting lever 40 integral with the base and bent upwardly at a slight angle with respect to the base, a straight intermediate lever arm 42 bent upwardly at an angle relative to cutting lever 40 so it extends at about a 45 angle with respect to the plane of the base, and a downwardly turned end 44.

Cutting lever 40 has a straight, elongated inner cutting edge 46 disposed adjacent to a parallel edge 48 of the base. .Preferably, the cutting edge extends substantially perpendicualr to the longitudinal axis of slotted opening 32, and is positioned so close to edge 48 that the two edges almost touch each other when lever arm 38 is pushed downwardly toward the plane of base 34.

In using the cutting device, a preselected length 28a of tie strip ribbon 28 is unwound from the core of the spool, and drawn through slot 32, under cutting lever 40, and over edge 48 of plate 34. The slot acts as a guide for the tie strip by providing a bearing surface against which the tie strip can be pulled so it can be drawn tightly between the cutting lever and the base. The cutting arm is then operated by pushing down on end 44; preferably with the thumb, to resiliently bend the lever arm so cutting lever 40 is forced down toward the base and against the tie strip. This action of the cutting arm causes cutting edge 46 to act with the adjacent edge 48 to shear off end portion 280 of the tie strip.

Several radially spaced apart holes 50 extend through each flange 14 to provide means for holding the end of the tie strip ribbon when the spool and cutting device is not in use.

The storing and dispensing device is especially suitable for hand use. The flanges of the spool are spaced sufficiently far apart that the core of the spool can be readily grasped circumferentially by a hand (shown in phantom line 52) of the user. Moreover, the core of the spool is shaped to easily accommodate being held by the hand of the user. Thus, the user is able to hold the spool in a steady position with one hand, while the other hand guides the tie strip through the slot, under the cutting arm, and then applies force to the cutting arm against the reaction force provided by the hand holding the spool. The rigid body of the spool core below the cutting device maintains good support for the cutting operation.

The storing and dispensing device is constructed from relatively inexpensive parts capable of being easily assembled into the final product at a low cost, and therefore facilitates being manufactured as a throwaway article.

l claim:

1. a disposable article of manufacture comprising a spool having an elongated core for storing a continuous length of ribbon-like material, a pair of flanges at the ends of the core spaced apart a sufficient distance to allow the core to be easily grasped by hand, and material cutting means secured to one of the flanges to allow a preselected length of ribbon-like material unwound from the continuous length to be readily severed therefrom; the cutting means inclusing a spring metal plate having a flat base rigidly secured to the flange, and an elongated cutting arm formed intergrally with the base and bendable relative to the base, the cutting arm extending upwardly away from the plane of the base such that a piece of ribbon-like material disposed between the cutting arm and base can be sheared off by moving the cutting arm relative to the base.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the core of the spool includes a pair of tubular rings, the rings being disposed endto-end in interlocking relation, and means securing the interlocked rings together to form a hollow, substantially cylindrical body.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a slot formed in the edge of the flange, and in which the cutting means is rigidly secured to the flange adjacent to the slot.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the slot extends into the flange and terminates close to the outer surface of the core.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a slot formed in the flange, and in which the cutting means is mounted adjacent to the slot, the slot having an elongated edge over which the material is to be guided when unwound from the continuous length, the cutting arm having an elongated cutting edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to the elongated edge of the slot.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the cutting device is mounted on the flange immediately above a portion of the body of the spool core so the core provides support for the cutting device when the ribbonlike material is severed.

7. An article of manufacture comprising a spool for storing a continuous length of ribbon-like material to be unwound from the spool, and material cutting means secured to the spool to allow a preselected length of ribbon-like material unwound from the continuous length to be readily severed therefrom, the spool including a slot formed in the edge of the spool to allow the material to be unwound and fed to the cutting means, the cutting means includes a spring metal plate having a flat base secured to the spool and a cutting arm formed integrally with the base and bendable relative to the base, the cutting arm extending upwardly away from the plane of the base so that the ribbon-like material that is fed through the slot of the spool may be disposed between the cutting arm and base and can be sheared off by moving the cutting arm relative to the base.

8. An article of manufacture comprising generally cylindrical means for storing a continuous length of wire reinforced ribbon-like material, the storage means including an integral, rigid portion spaced from and mounted in a fixed relation relative to the continuous length to both confine the continuous length to the storage means and provide a cutting means support surface, and material cutting means secured to the support surface provided by said portion of the storage means for readily severing a preselected length of ribbon-like material unwound from the continuous length, the support surface including an aperture formed therein for allowing guided movement of material to be unwound and fed to the cutting means, the cutting means including a spring metal plate having a flat base secured to the support surface and a cutting arm formed integrally with the base and bendable relative to the base, the cutting arm extending upwardly away from the plane of the base such that a piece of ribbon-like material disposed between the cutting arm and base can be sheared off by moving the cutting arm relative to the base.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the material cutting means is mounted adjacent to the aperture, and the aperture comprises a slot formed in the support surface and having an elongated edge over which the material is to be guided when unwound from the continuous length, the cutting arm having an elongated cutting edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to the elongated edge of the slot.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the material storage means defines a pair of ends spaced apart by a sufficient distance to allow the storage means to be easily grasped by hand.

11. An article of manufacture comprising generally cylindrical means for storing a continuous length of wire-reinforced ribbon-like material to be unwound from the storage means, a rigid body spaced from and mounted in a fixed relation relative to the storage means for both confining the continuous length on the storage means and providing a rigid cutting means support surface, material cutting means secured to the rigid body for readily severing a preselected length of ribbon-like material unwound from the continuous length, the support surface including an aperture formed therein for allowing guided movement of material to be unwound and fed to the cutting means, the cutting means including a spring metal plate having a flat base secured to the support surface and a cutting arm formed integrally with the base and bendable relative to the base, the cutting arm extending upwardly away from the plane of the base such that a piece of ribsupport surface and having an elongated edge over which the material is to be guided when unwound from the continuous length, the cutting arm having an elongated cutting edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to the elongated edge of the slot.

Disclaimer 3,757,626.Ja07c H. Kulp, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. DEVICE FOR STORING AND DISPENSING RIBBON-LIKE MATERIALS AND THE LIKE. Patent dated Sept. 11, 1973. Disclaimer filed Apr. 4, 197 4:, by the assignee, Royal lndustm'es, Inc. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 8, 9, 1O, 11 and 12 of said patent.

[Oficz'al Gazette 002501201" 15, 1974.] 

1. A DISPOSABLE ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE COMPRISING A SPOOL HAVING AN ELONGATED CORE FOR STORING A CONTINUOUS LENGTH OF RIBBON-LIKE MATERIAL, A PAIR OF FLANGES AT THE ENDS OF THE CORE SPACED APART A SUFFICIENT DISTANCE TO ALLOW THE CORE TO BE EASILY GRASPED BY HAND, AND MATERIAL CUTTING MEANS SECURED TO ONE OF THE FLANGES TO ALLOW A PRESELECTED LENGTH OF RIBBON-LIKE MATERIAL UNWOUND FROM THE CONTINUOUS LENGTH TO BE READILY SEVERED THEREFROM; THE CUTTING MEANS INCLUSING A SPRING METAL PLATE HAVING A FLAT BASE RIGIDLY SECURED TO THE FLANGE, AND AN ELONGATED CUTTING ARM FORMED INTERGRALLY WITH THE BASE AND BENDABLE RELATIVE TO THE BASE, THE CUTTING ARM EXTENDING UPWARDLY AWAY FROM THE PLANE OF THE BASE SUCH THAT A PIECE OF RIBBON-LIKE MATERIAL DISPOSED BETWEEN THE CUTTING ARM AND BASE CAN BE SHEARED OFF BY MOVING THE CUTTING ARM RELATIVE TO THE BASE.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the core of the spool includes a pair of tubular rings, the rings being disposed end-to-end in interlocking relation, and means securing the interlocked rings together to form a hollow, substantially cylindrical body.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a slot formed in the edge of the flange, and in which the cutting means is rigidly secured to the flange adjacent to the slot.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the slot extends into the flange and terminates close to the outer surface of the core.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a slot formed in the flange, and in which the cutting means is mounted adjacent to the slot, the slot having an elongated edge over which the material is to be guided when unwound from the continuous length, the cutting arm having an elongated cutting edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to the elongated edge of the slot.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the cutting device is mounted on the flange immediately above a portion of the body of the spool core so the core provides support for the cutting device when the ribbon-like material is severed.
 7. An article of manufacture comprising a spool for storing a continuous length of ribbon-like material to be unwound from the spool, and material cutting means secured to the spool to allow a preselected length of ribbon-like material unwound from the continuous length to be readily severed therefrom, the spool including a slot formed in the edge of the spool to allow the material to be unwound and fed to the cutting means, the cutting means includes a spring metal plate having a flat base secured to the spool and a cutting arm formed integrally with the base and bendable relative to the base, the cutting arm extending upwardly away from the plane of the base so that the ribbon-like material that is fed through the slot of the spool may be disposed between the cutting arm and base and can be sheared off by moving the cutting arm relative to the base.
 8. An article of manufacture comprising generally cylindrical means for storing a continuous length of wire reinforced ribbon-like material, the storage means including an integral, rigid portion spaced from and mounted in a fixed relation relative to the continuous length to both confine the continuous length to the storage means and provide a cutting means support surface, and material cutting means secured to the support surface provided by said portion of the storage means for readily severing a preselected length of ribbon-like material unwound from the continuous length, the support surface including an aperture formed therein for allowing guided movement of material to be unwound and fed to the cutting means, the cutting means including a spring metal plate having a flat base secured to the support surface and a cutting arm formed integrally with the base and bendable relative to the base, the cutting arm extending upwardly away from the plane of the base such that a piece of ribbon-like material disposed between the cutting arm and base can be sheared off by moving the cutting arm relative to the base.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the material cutting means is mounted adjacent to the aperture, and the aperture comprises a slot formed in the support surface and having an elongated edge over which the material is to be guided when unwound from the continuous length, the cutting arm having an elongated cutting edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to the elongated edge of the slot.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the material storage means defines a pair of ends spaced apart by a sufficient distance to allow the storage means to be easily grasped by hand.
 11. An article of manufacture comprising generally cylindrical means for storing a continuous length of wire-reinforced ribbon-like material to be unwound from the storage means, a rigid body spaced from and mounted in a fixed relation relative to the storage means for both confining the continuous length on the storage means and providing a rigid cutting means support surface, material cutting means secured to the rigid body for readily severing a preselected length of ribbon-like material unwound from the continuous length, the support surface including an aperture formed therein for allowing guided movement of material to be unwound and fed to the cutting means, the cutting means including a spring metal plate having a flat base secured to the support surface and a cutting arm formed integrally with the base and bendable relative to the base, the cutting arm extending upwardly away from the plane of the base such that a piece of ribbon-like material disposed between the cutting arm and base can be sheared off by moving the cutting arm relative to the base.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which the material cutting means is mounted adjacent to the aperture, and the aperture comprises a slot formed in the support surface and having an elongated edge over which the material is to be guided when unwound from the continuous length, the cutting arm having an elongated cutting edge extending in a direction substantially parallel to the elongated edge of the slot. 